Jekyll Officials Propose Big Change

Jekyll Island officials are proposing a big change in how the island's natural areas are protected.

The island's governing board wants to replace the law that mandates what percentage of the island can be developed.

Jekyll Island is a state-owned park and one of four Georgia barrier islands accessible by car.

It's protected under a 42 year old state law that says only 35% of it can be developed.

Officials want to replace the percentage of land with a specific number of acres: 1,675.

David Egan of the Initiative To Protect Jekyll says the switch makes sense.

"There's always been a debate as to whether the marsh should or should not be counted or how much of the marsh if any should be counted." Egan says. "The fixed acreage approach removes the marsh. Therefore that debate at least would be ended."

But Egan and other conservationists are skeptical the change will prevent new development.

The island attracts regular debate over the interplay of people and nature.